Labour government’s failures driving NHS staff to “breaking point”

Disclosures made to Plaid Leader point to growing mental health crisis

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has warned that frontline NHS workers are at breaking point as a result of the pressures put upon them. Leanne Wood said that a constituent had contacted her warning that the pressure that they are being put under was having an impact on workers’ mental health.

This comes in the wake of an independent Parliamentary Review into health and social care which called for a sharp focus on staff engagement and well-being.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said:

“In recent weeks, disclosures have been made to me by workers in our NHS, which speak of serious problems with staff morale and well-being.

“People serving on the front line claim to be at breaking point as a result of the pressures upon them.

“One person has told me that at times of high demand, ambulance service prioritisation is putting people at risk. The disclosures made to me talk of counsellors being brought in to speak to staff due to the increased pressures on them.

“In the past few weeks, it is alleged that patients categorised as suitable for a twenty minute response, have had to wait up to 6 hours for an ambulance. I am told that these include patients having strokes, heart attacks and breathing problems.

“The person revealing this situation is off work sick, with stress, and cannot speak or think about their job without bursting into tears. It’s a devastating situation.

“Not only is the Labour government failing patients with its failure to properly plan and manage the service, but it is leading NHS staff to breaking point by putting them under incredible pressure. The Labour government needs to get a grip of the service for the sake of staff.”